Collector’s edition

The NBA is deep into the playoffs. Trade rumors abound. Many of the stars will realign with new teams next season. The PBA has also gathered steam in its 50th season. New players are making names for themselves, and a new team will come in next season. These two developments alone are stirring up a frenzy among memorabilia collectors. Many are trying to buy merchandise before all of these changes happen. It’s the perfect time for them. And summer follows, when most international basketball events in the Philippines happen. It would be the right time to get in on the action. 

The first thing you have to decide is why you are collecting. Is it just for fun, or are you riding along with a trend? Will it be for profit or purely for your personal enjoyment? Do you have a particular athlete or team that you follow? Are you influenced by trends? Do you eventually plan to sell your collection? Is this something that you will stick with for the long term? If you’re not clear with your objectives, you might be hopping around from one trend or team or athlete or sport to another, and it will drive you crazy.

What is your budget for collecting? Where will the funds be coming from? Think twice before spending the house money on collectibles. This may start a conflict with your spouse or family members. Consult everyone who has a stake in the funds being used. Most people will not understand or be able to commit the way you will. The best thing to do is set a limit on what you want to spend per month. Believe me, there will always be some temptation to purchase an item. You have to exercise discretion and good judgment.

Also, always pool prices and opinions. Are you after authenticity, or just want something that resembles the real thing? Make an effort to determine the authenticity of what you are buying. There are many unscrupulous sellers, particularly online. If they send you something fake, you’ll never see your money or the item you want again. It would be better if the seller is someone you know or can meet face-to-face, and has a track record of previous successful sales. Joining fan clubs with similar interests will also give you some protection. You can avoid a lot of bad experiences.

If you are planning to buy and sell, can you afford to sit on the items for a few years? For example, a Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks jersey will have changed value because he was traded to the Lakers. His Lakers jersey will likewise be in high demand because it is new. Can you afford to wait until the value goes up? It is always tempting to sell for immediate profit, even if it isn’t optimum. Check if there is oversupply. Some companies that produce action figures overproduce to minimize cost and maximize profit. One company was caught destroying millions of its  figures as its prices went down because they flooded the market. 

Bottom line is: do what is fun for you, what you can afford, with minimal risk. One purchase can bring you years of good memories, or one bad experience will bother you for a long time. Define your parameters, set your budget. Consult those who’ve been doing it for a long time. Be willing to let go of items that you can’t afford at that moment. Eventually, it will likely come around again. Collecting is meant to be a source of enjoyment, not a cause of stress. Don’t take it too seriously.